"His edited heart was her favorite work of art." What is portrayed as an innocent child's creation--a stitched, puppet sack man with button eyes--is actually a complete paradox to the lyrics of the song "Can't" by Alan Lastufka. The lyrics present conflict between both a sexual relationship and one of dependency and control. The boy in the song is subjected to his lover's teasing games and he adopts confusion and sadness while giving in to physical pleasures. Nevertheless, his temporary pleasure doesn't justify why he continues to be with the girl and even as he realizes there lies no truth in his relationship, he cannot leave her. The video of this song, however, places all blame on the female figure--an authoritative girl who uses the little puppet she has created to make herself feel better. She abuses the puppet until it finally "takes leave" by cutting its own strings. Only then does the viewer notice that the girl actually created an image of herself that commits suicide. The common idea of pursuing false relationships for self benefit is criticized in a deceiving child-like video. The video resembles the surface views individuals hold today while the lyrics of the song promote equality in placing blame on both the female and male figure. While the song criticizes the easy way out individuals take through "suicide," the combination of the video and lyrics makes one reflect on the value and truth behind relationships. Dependency, then, is something very commonly overlooked; however, both the lyrics and the video portray that to understand another we must first strive to understand ourselves. His edited heart, then, is a false escape for not just the girl, but for both of them. Lastufka shows, however, that these false notions cannot last.

--Nedah Nemati